The ancient lands of the Incas keep true gems inside, housing some of the most fascinating places that can exist in the world, which impress for their majesty and grandeur, in addition to keeping in the detail some of the attractions that have become important around the world.
Among these wonders found between the coast, the desert, and the Peruvian Andes is one of the most incredible geological formations in our country. This natural attraction is a true work of art conceived and built by Mother Nature and, without a doubt, it is worth knowing more about it and visiting it on your vacation in Peru.
If you’ve heard about the Grand Canyon, located in the United States of America, you must already know its magnitude and the sensational scenarios that star in unparalleled photographs. What if we told you that it is possible to find a canyon as fascinating as the famous one in North America?
We are talking about the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, which is found here, in Peruvian territory. Located in the well-known Colca Valley, this region is close to another very charming trip in Peru, the charming city of Arequipa, known for its colonial scenery, buildings that take you on a journey through time, and its imposing guardians: the Chachani volcanoes, Pichu Pichu and Misti, which those accommodations in Arequipa bring hot springs.
Therefore, if you are willing to discover Peru beyond the obvious itineraries, we invite you to embark on this trip and delve deeper into the Colca Canyon in an incomparable adventure under the wings of the third largest bird in the world. Want to understand more of what we’re talking about? Keep reading and enjoy!
About Colca Canyon
Located in the southern region of Peru, the Colca Canyon is known for being one of the deepest canyons in the world, in addition to being home to an ecosystem with impressive local fauna and flora. Without a doubt, visiting this place means having an immersion experience in terms of different scenarios in the country.
In terms of dimensions, the famous Peruvian canyon has an extension of approximately 100 km inside the Colca Valley, and what makes it one of the deepest canyons in the world is its 4,160 meters depth, guaranteeing beautiful viewpoints to observe the entire horizon and the geological forms around.
The region of this valley, as already mentioned, has biodiversity with local characteristics, comprising approximately 300 species of plants and around 231 species of animals, among which is the majestic Andean Condor, which you will learn more about later.
In addition to all the impressive geological and biological features that mark this place, history is also part of the details that make the Cañón del Colca a fascinating place, as the region was inhabited by civilizations pre Inca, who existed between the years 5,000 and 6000 BC.
It is known that these ancient civilizations changed their habits over the years, going from nomadic to sedentary, with domesticated animals and plantations that came from an agricultural system of terraces for food conservation, these terraces were called “Colcas”, which names the entire region.
The territory of Colca Canyon and Chivay was also marked by colonial history, where the Spanish invaded and divided native villages to force local people to work in mines. The effect of this action is remarkable to this full day tour since this separation generated the 20 villages that are in the surroundings of this place.
As you can see, this attraction tells much more than what our eyes can see and, for sure, offers an experience that impresses not only for the magnitude of the scenery and the majesty of the canyon but also for the culture of the people of the region, which gives a beautiful glimpse over South America.
The Andean Condor
One of the highlights of a visit to the Colca Canyon, and one of the reasons why the place has attracted more than 300,000 tourists a year to visit it, is the experience of seeing the famous Andean Condor, one of the largest birds in the world, up close. . In addition to its biological importance, very representative of the local biodiversity, this species also has an important cultural significance.
The Andean Condor is a bird of prey of impressive dimensions, mainly due to the length of its wingspan, that is, the distance from one wing to the other of this animal, which can reach 3 meters in length. With this size, its weight also has an impressive value, as this animal can reach 15 kg.
In addition, for the Peruvian culture, the Condor has a historical representation linked, among other cultures, to the Inca people. According to some mystical tales, this bird can witnessed important events for the construction of Peru as we know it today and, due to this, it has won temples and other tributes in Peruvian festivities.
The main point of observation of the majestic Andean Condor is the viewpoint that receives its name, the Mirador de Cruz del Cóndor, from which it is possible to have a panoramic view of this animal flying through the skies of the Colca Canyon. The tip to making your observation tour even more special is to arrive at the viewpoint in the morning, between 9 am and 11 am, in this way, it is possible to enjoy the flight of the Condors as they glide using the hot air currents to “glide ” by the heavens.
Seeing this animal gives an even more magical air to the whole experience through the canyon and Colca Valley, as this is also a figure wrapped in the fascinating mysticism of the Andes. Certainly knowing about this is an important detail to enjoy even more packages and tours through the Colca Canyon, and as we know that you need to have the best experience in this attraction, we are going to introduce you to a little of what we can offer you on this occasion!
Colca Canyon trek packages and adventures
On the Colca Canyon tour, you will have the incredible experience of exploring the site and its surroundings like a true local expert. In this opportunity, you will cross a beautiful conservation unit called Reserva Nacional Salinas y Aguada Blanca and you will be able to appreciate some of the most beautiful landscapes in southern Peru.
The tour lasts 2 days, in which you will not only visit the famous canyon but also get to know some points in the surroundings of this attraction. The tour leaves from the beautiful plaza de Armas of Arequipa and has a first stop in the city of Chivay, where you will have free time to learn more about Peruvian culture and its different aspects in this small village.
After an overnight stay in Chivay, known as the hub of the region, the next day, the tour leaves early in the morning towards other local villages, marked by the history of the colonization period. And, still, in the morning, you will arrive at the famous Mirante Cruz del Condor, where you can enjoy the flight of this bird so representative of Peru. At the end of the day, return to the city of Arequipa.
But don’t worry, because if your itinerary doesn’t go through the White City of Peru, you can contact our team of agents, with whom you can build the itinerary and the travel experience through Peruvian lands that are the way you want. always dreamed of!
In addition, Colca Canyon is in a key region, which allows you to visit many other destinations in Peru, including Puno, which is the gateway to the largest navigable lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. Optimize your trip and make your experience even more unforgettable with us, get inspired by our Peru travel packages, and come and be enchanted by our country!